Auto Bits: Travel tips for staying healthy while away

Monday

All it takes is a little foresight and effective planning to ensure that your trip - wherever you're headed - is safe, fun and memorable in all the right ways. Below are some essential tips for staying healthy while traveling away from home.

- First aid: You might think it's a waste of space in your already tight suitcase, but a small first aid or medical kit is always a smart idea. You'll want to stock it appropriately for wherever you're headed, but some good general items to have on hand are bandages, gauze, disinfectant, pain relievers, tweezers, allergy pills, antibiotic cream, sunscreen/aloe and medicine for stomach upset.

- Protect against problems: Whether you are traveling 50 or 5,000 miles from home, there is always a possibility that you'll get sick or be involved in an accident. Purchasing a membership from a travel and medical emergency assistance company before you leave will help eliminate your worries.

- Watch what you eat. While it's particularly true when you're traveling abroad, being careful about what you eat and drink is often applicable on trips within the United States as well. One common culprit is buffet food. While a vast array of edibles laid beautifully out for your indulgence seems inviting, it is notoriously difficult to keep foods at their proper temperatures on a buffet line. Make sure that the hot foods are hot, and the cold foods are cold.

- ARA

The List

Oprah Winfrey has given away lots of things on her show, including cars. Here are her car giveaways:

- 2012 Volkswagen New Beetles (2010)

- Pontiac G6 (2004)

Did You Know

General Motors is putting money into production plants in Michigan and Ohio in order to make the Cruze and Volt.

Car Q&A

Q: I have a 1999 Lexus es300 with a check-engine light on. Scan codes are P1354 and P1395. My local garage mechanic has replaced dvt solenoid and dvt gears on camshaft. He also checked engine timing and cleaned oil strainer, but the light is still on.

A: There is more information and checking needed before just replacing parts. A look at our Identifix website confirms a lot of problems with the oil-control valve, timing belt timing, wiring harness issues, faulty timing valves, even a faulty engine computer. There is a step-by-step procedure needed to follow to find the actual problem.

- Junior Damato, Talking Cars columnist

GateHouse News Service

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